Hydrocarbon generation and migration from Barremian – Aptian source rocks, Northern Orange Basin, offshore Western South Africa: A 3d numerical modelling study

A 3D numerical modelling workflow was applied to the Barremian—Aptian source rock interval in a shelfal to lower slope area of the northern Orange Basin, offshore western South Africa. The main objective was to investigate the timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration. Hydrocarbon migration has previously been investigated in the south of the basin by relating gas escape features with structural elements as seen on seismic sections, but migration pathways are still poorly understood. The modelling study was based on data from three exploration wells (AO-1, AE-1 and AF-1) together with 42 2D seismic sections totalling 3537 km in length, and a 3D seismic cube covering an area of 750 sq. km. Modelled formation temperatures increase from north to south in the study area and were consistent with downhole temperatures at well locations. However, there is variation between measured and modelled values of vitrinite reflectance (VR), especially in the Turonian and Cenomanian intervals. The measured VR is lower than the modelled VR within the Turonian section in the north of the study area, suggesting that erosion has affected the thermal maturity of the sediments. However, in the Cenomanian interval, the measured VR is higher than the modelled VR. Uplift, increased erosion in the hinterland and sediment transport to the coastal areas resulted in Cenomanian progradation of the Orange Basin fill

Deutsch-Norwegische Forschungskooperation auf dem Gebiet der Geowissenschaften - Phase 2: Processes in sedimentary basins Schlussbericht

The objective of this interdisciplinary research effort was the investigatioe of specific issues of the evolution of sedimentary basins as related to hydrocarbon exploration. The three sub-projects had the following short titles: A - Hydrocarbon movement and trapping: Experiments and theory; B -Rifted-sheared margins; C - Reservoir anisotropies. (orig.)Ziel der interdisziplinaeren Arbeiten war die Erforschung spezifischer Fragestellungen der Entwicklung sedimentaerer Becken in Bezug auf die Kohlenwasserstoffexploration. Die drei Teilprojekte trugen Kurzbezeichnungen: A - Hydrocarbon Movement and Trapping: Experiments and Theory; B - Rifted-Sheared Margins; C - Reservoir anisotropies. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RA 831(3454) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman